My husband designed these leather pen cases and I helped make them. Any thoughts on their design? What do you look for in a pen case? Are there other colors or logo motifs that would appeal to you? Thanks for the feedback.

Hmmm, I like the design. But, most of my pens would rattle around in it. Will you be making various sizes?

Also, I look mostly for the security factor. Is the leather hardened? If so, I'd be more like to to get one than if it were soft. I like the stiffness to help protect the pen in case I do something stupid like sit down with it in my back pocket. But that's just me.

Those are lovely pieces.
Congratulations Jill!

Alejandro

The leather is hardened somewhat... it's not soft like fabric -- but I think if you sat on the case it would get crushed. As far as other sizes go that would depend on how many people are interested in that. Do pen cases normanlly come in a variety of pen widths?

Thanks Alejandro. Nice avatar, by the way.

I'd certainly like to know the measurements of the case, and perhaps the diameter of the pen slots? This way, people can decide if it is more suited to their large pens, or small ones.

Would you describe the cases as suited to average-size pens, or larger / oversize pens, for example.

I like the cream one, and the green one - very nice work!

The case measures 5½” x 2¼” x ¾” when closed. The slots for the pens are ½” deep x 7/8" wide. A Shaeffer No-Nonsense pen fits in... that's the fattest pen I own.

We made up the tan one in all the designs.

I think all of them look excellent. Thats the charm of handmade stuff.

In particular, I like this one on the top right, with the Triquetra motif. I'm not worried abt it being crushed etc . Somehow these things get carried in a careful way. Besides, the pens would be inside it anyway.

WineDoc sold some 'Dani' leather pouches here sometime ago. They fit the largish pens very well. You could refer to that for size. You could also use some cigar container tubes (aluminium I think ) to form the compartments. Or even the cardboard tube core for thermal fax paper.

No offense but I was thinking the motifs on the cover flap are a wee bit too big for that given space. I was just thinking it would be perfect if it were 10% to 20% smaller. A plain flap would also be nice. Just the band with the motifs is elegant too.

I would buy one off you if they are for sale.
OR trade one of my handmade journals for one of them ?

Gorgeous! I like the suggestion to make several sizes, but another idea is to have an insert to hold smaller pens. Kudos to your husband for these. Let us know if they are ever for sale.

Debbie

The point of the triskelion is facing the wrong direction. The three points map to the three realms of land, sea, and sky, with the land and sea forming the base of the triangle.

Sky would be point up, not point down.

That's a great idea about having an insert. As far as sales go FPN prefers to keep that out of these discussions BUT check the sale section.

They do look very nice. I always wish I was crafty. I'm not, but I appreciate the creativity of others. Very nice work.

Those are really neat. Are you planning to make them to-order or in advance?

If you are making them to order (or just decorating to order) it might be cool to be able to mix-and-match decorations, or possibly submit black-and-white line art to be used.

In our house I'm the one who is into fountain pens and my husband has been exploring leather work -- particularly leather masks. I chimed in with how nice a leather pen case would be and the next thing I knew he had drafted this pattern!

Thanks Songwind. Just based on what little I know about you from reading your posts I had a feeling you might like them. We could indeed take b&w line art and personalize the cases.

Oh, waily waily! I am predictable.

Of the ones that you have shown I think I like the triskelion and the griffon rampant the best.

My husband is testing a pen case in black -- which effects how much you'd be able to see the design. Of all colors -- both shown and not shown (but possible) -- which do you think would be best?

3 Questions:
1. Could you do initials on the cases?
2. If you were sent an old concho, could that be attached?
3. Can he make a matching cell phone holder?

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes

We would need the measurements for your cell phone.

Is it possible/practical to color the designs gold or silver on the black design? Oh and the two designs that might work best are the two to the right of center.

Doh! Thanks for setting us straight. Now what am I going to do with these upside down triskelions???

Gold and silver would be very cool. We're going to do some experimenting to see if we can do it. Does anyone who works in leather know of a technique for that?

Don't forget a plain alternative for the more conservative!

Most people won't care. It just happens to be my favorite variant of one of the two main religious symbols of my faith.

Yes, we can certainly make a plain one. In fact, then we could even make one in black which many people like. Black makes it hard to see the designs but with plain it wouldn't matter.

Alas, no. That's unfortunate because there are some lovely pens that disappear in a modern case, and others that are so big they're impossible.

What measurements would be useful? Is it just a matter of skinnier slots? Are shorter cases needed?

Better just scrap 'em. I would be happy to take them off you hands and find somewhere to throw them away.

Pen width is the biggie, I think. If it's too small the pen won't go in, and if it's too big the pen will rattle around and you'll lose some of the protective aspects.

A case that's too long on a pen that can be clipped to the top is not going to cause a lot of issues. But a clipless pen falling down into a case that's too long would be a pain to get out.

I like the brown and green the best of the colors you have shown. Red leather has never much done it for me - at least not for cases. If you were making biking leathers, that might be different.

I think a black, a darker brown, and possibly a white would be cool. Some people on these forums seem to have an unnatural attraction to orange, so that might be popular.

We are trying some variations of the pen case. Here is a black one with raised embossing. My husband is working on a skinnier pen design too... hopefully I'll have pictures of that tomorrow.

That raised embossing is nice. Very nice.

I like the purple one, and the red one, hehehe. I just have to save for a couple now. And, my personal preference would be the size you made, as it seems appropriate for my purse.